Guide to Public Transportation · Office, and local banks have Reduced Fare Coupons. Banks include Chase Bank, PNC Bank and Investors Bank branches. Call ahead to confirm. Coupon

Guide to

Public Transportation

Updated Version Accurate as of December 2017

PAGE 1

New Jersey, and Montclair in particular, enjoys the

benefits of an excellent public transportation system.

NJTIP @ Rutgers has developed the Lifelong Montclair

Guide to Public Transportation to help Montclair’s

senior citizens understand available transportation

resources.

Riding the bus and train can be much easier than

fighting traffic and searching for a parking space. Public

transportation helps people be independent. Transit

riders can make travel decisions without having to rely

on others. For those who still drive, choosing to

occasionally use public transportation can save money,

reduce stress, and provide another mobility alternative.

For people who drive we list services to help you do so

safely and comfortably. Cars have changed and so have

traffic rules and the roads you travel every day. Age-

related changes can impact driving as well.

We wish to thank the Township of Montclair, Partners

For Health, the Montclair Senior Citizens Advisory

Committee, and other local organizations who helped

with this Guide.

Information in this guide accurate as of December 2017.

Introduction

PAGE 2

Accessible Local Bus Service 3

Fare Zones on NJ TRANSIT Buses 4

Rail Service in Montclair 5-6

Interstate Bus Routes to New York 7-8

NJ TRANSIT Reduced Fare Program 9

NJ TRANSIT & DeCamp Fares 10

Making Connections in Newark 11-12

Montclair Transit Map 13-14

Montclair Senior Citizen Bus 15-16

Access Link 17

Essex County Special Transportation 18

Other Transportation Services 19-20

Transit Information, Planning & Tips 21-22

Walking & Driving Safely 23-24

Contact Information & Resources 25-26

Table of Contents

PAGE 3

Accessible Local Bus Service

Many daily NJ TRANSIT bus routes serve Montclair.

• Bus # 11 travels between Newark & Willowbrook

Mall in Wayne via Bloomfield & Pompton Aves.

• Bus # 28 travels between Newark and Montclair

State University (MSU) via Bloomfield Ave, Park St,

Watchung Ave & Valley Rd.

• Bus # 29 travels along Bloomfield Avenue and US

46 through Parsippany, Montville, Fairfield, the

Caldwells, Verona, Montclair, Glen Ridge,

Bloomfield & Newark.

• Bus # 34M travels between Montclair Center and

Newark Penn Station and South St in Newark

serving Montclair’s South End, Orange & E. Orange.

• Bus # 97 travels between Montclair Center and the

VA Hospital in East Orange along Orange &

Harrison Roads passing through West Orange and

Orange along the way.

• Bus # 705 travels between Willowbrook Mall and

Passaic. The 705 serves the area near MSU.

All NJ TRANSIT buses are accessible:

• Buses “kneel” to lower the height of the first step.

• Buses have lifts for any riders who cannot use steps.

• Riders must ask operator for lift and kneeling.

• Buses have audio and visual alerts for routes,

destinations, upcoming stops.

• There is priority seating for seniors and people with

disabilities in front by the door and bus operator.

See transit map in this guide on page 13/14.

PAGE 4

Fare Zones on NJ TRANSIT Buses

What are “Fare Zones”?

Your bus fare is determined by zones, which are based

on the distances travelled. Zones are shown on the

bus schedules with a special line and notation so you

know your fare in advance. You may also call

973-275-5555 to confirm bus fares and other travel

information. Bus operators will tell you your cash fare

when boarding. Transfers can be purchased when

travelling from one NJ TRANSIT bus to another.

See page 9 for information on reduced fare for seniors.

The fare zone diagram below shows round dots with

numbers called “timepoints” or selected stops along

the bus route. When planning a trip you always are in

at least one zone. Once you cross a fare zone

boundary (a dash/dot line) you pay fare for another

zone. Fares and transfers are paid at the beginning of

each bus ride.

The bus operator does not carry cash and

cannot make change.

Timepoint

Farezone

Boundary

PAGE 5

Rail Service in Montclair

Within Montclair there are six train stations that serve

different parts of town. Nearby, just north of Montclair,

in the Little Falls section of Montclair State University,

there is an additional train station. All stations that

serve Montclair run along the NJ TRANSIT Montclair

Boonton rail line with service into Hoboken and New

York. Of all seven stations serving Montclair only Bay

Street has service on weekends. Time to and from

New York’s Penn Station is about 45 minutes. Tickets

can be obtained at Ticket Vending Machines at each

station or riders age 62 and older may pay on the

vehicle with no surcharge.

NJ TRANSIT trains have accessible doors that are

marked with the symbol of accessibility and 78 of the

165 stations are accessible to people with disabilities.

• Bay Street

• Montclair Heights

• Montclair State

University

• Walnut Street

• Watchung Ave

• Mountain Ave

• Upper Montclair

Accessible Stations

Accessible Features of NJ Transit Rail System

• Elevators

• Ramps

• Mini high level

platforms

• Portable lifts

• Bridge plates

• Detectable warning

edges on platforms

• Priority seating near

doors

• On board station stop

announcements

Inaccessible Stations

PAGE 6

Penn Station New York

Penn Station New York is an underground station

located between Seventh & Eighth Avenues and

31st and 34th Streets in Midtown Manhattan.

Penn Station New York is a major hub and transfer

point along the Northeast Corridor, a major Amtrak

line serving cities and towns between Washington, D.C.

and Boston. The Acela Express serves the Northeast

Corridor with high speed express service. Several

other longer distance Amtrak lines provide more

limited service from the station.

Penn Station New York is a terminal for many NJ

TRANSIT Rail Lines. Stations along the Montclair-

Boonton Line in Montclair benefit from Midtown Direct

service into Penn Station (although some trains end in

Hoboken). Limited weekend service to Hoboken is

provided from Bay Street only, all other rail stations in

Montclair have no service on weekends.

Direct connections are available to the New York City

Subway along the Seventh and Eighth Ave Lines and

many MTA Buses at street level. Direct connections are

also available to most Long Island Railroad Lines.

BoltBus and Megabus provide low cost intercity service

to many destinations throughout the northeast and

adjacent regions. These buses board on the streets

surrounding Penn Station New York.

For more information go to amtrak.com,

boltbus.com, megabus.com or njtransit.com

PAGE 7

Interstate Bus Routes to New York

DeCamp Bus Lines

Two DeCamp bus routes operate in Montclair with

service to Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York.

Travel time from Montclair to New York City is about

one hour. Buses run once an hour outside of rush

hours. Individuals over age 62 with ID or Reduced Fare

Card are eligible for Reduced Fare. Fares can be paid

to the bus operator in NJ. Tickets must be

purchased before boarding in New York City.

**For Reduced Fare on DeCamp buses, passengers

must have blue NJ TRANSIT Reduced Fare Coupons**

For DeCamp’s 33 and 66 bus routes to New York use

departure gates 16 and 20 at Port Authority. Please

note that departure gates are subject to change and

refer to schedules for route variations.

The DeCamp # 33 bus goes along Bloomfield Ave,

with some buses going onto Grove St.

The DeCamp # 66 bus goes along Harrison Ave,

Orange Rd, Park St, Valley Rd, and Mt. Hebron Rd.

For complete information go to decamp.com

NJ TRANSIT Interstate Buses Near Montclair

NJ TRANSIT provides express services to NYC along

Rts 46 and 3 from Willowbrook Mall (Wayne) Park &

Ride, Montclair State University and Allwood (Clifton)

Park & Ride.

PAGE 8

Port Authority Bus Terminal (New York)

Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) is an endpoint and

major hub for interstate and commuter transportation

to and from New York City. The station is operated

by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

PANYNJ. It consists of two buildings between 40th

and 42nd Streets between 8th and 9th Avenues in

Manhattan.

NJ TRANSIT serves the PABT with many bus routes,

some of them travel close to or through parts of

Montclair. DeCamp bus lines has service on routes

that travel from Montclair to PABT.

NJ TRANSIT has a customer service office and multiple

ticket vending machines. DeCamp has a ticket &

customer service window.

PABT also offers access to some of the longest

interstate bus routes in the country. These routes

serve cities as far away as Chicago, Miami & Denver.

There are 223 departure gates in the PABT. Only a

few are accessible to people with disabilities. If the bus

lift is needed, an individual must alert the bus driver,

contact NJ TRANSIT or dial 54 on in-station phones.

Connections are also available to NYC Subway on the

7th & 8th Avenue lines, and to MTA Bus Routes.

For more information go to panynj.org

or call 212-502-2200 or 212-564-8484

PAGE 9

NJ TRANSIT Reduced Fare Program

Individuals age 62 or over, as well as people with

disabilities, can save at least 50% on NJ TRANSIT train,

light rail, and buses, and on certain other public

transportation bus systems, including DeCamp Bus

Lines, which provides bus service on routes #33 and

#66 between Montclair and New York City.

Each time you board a NJ TRANSIT line show the bus

operator or train conductor an ID that is proof of your

age (i.e. driver’s license) and ask for “the reduced fare.”

In order to receive the reduced fare when purchasing

tickets to ride DeCamp Bus Lines to and from NYC,

one must use one blue reduced fare coupon for each

ticket purchased. These coupons are used to track the

subsidy provided by NJ TRANSIT to other carriers.

Coupon booklets, which contain 50 coupons each, are

issued by NJ TRANSIT and are available without cost.

The Montclair Health Department, Town Clerk’s

Office, and local banks have Reduced Fare Coupons.

Banks include Chase Bank, PNC Bank and Investors

Bank branches. Call ahead to confirm. Coupon books

are also available at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

You may apply for a Reduced Fare ID Card and obtain

coupon booklets by calling the NJ TRANSIT Reduced

Fare Office at 973-491-7112.

PAGE 10

Where to buy DeCamp tickets: Port Authority Bus Terminal, ticket windows 24 to 28

(operated by Academy Bus Tours)

In Montclair & Upper Montclair

DeCamp Garage, 101 Greenwood Ave 973-783-7500

Grove Convenience, 133 Grove Street 973-783-3768

Keil’s Pharmacy, 732 Valley Road 973-744-2113

News Plus, 603 Valley Road 973-509-0250

NJ TRANSIT & DeCamp Fares

NJ TRANSIT Local Bus Fares

1 Zone 2 Zone Transfer

Full Fare $1.60 $2.55 $0.75

Reduced $0.75 $1.10 $0.35

NJ TRANSIT Rail Fares to New York

MSU,

Montclair Heights,

Mountain Ave

Upper Montclair,

Watchung Ave,

Walnut St, Bay St

Full Fare $7.75 $7.25

Reduced $3.55 $3.25

DeCamp Bus Fares to New York

Upper Montclair Montclair

Full Fare $7.65 $7.90

Reduced $3.80 $3.95

Please note NJ TRANSIT fares are accurate as of December, 2017.

PAGE 11

Making Connections in Newark

Newark Penn Station is a major transportation hub and

transfer point in downtown Newark. Newark Penn

Station is served by three NJ TRANSIT Rail Lines

including the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast

Line and the Raritan Valley Line. Connection to these

lines from Montclair is only available via transfer.

Amtrak rail service, Greyhound bus, NJ TRANSIT and

other bus lines also provide intercity and interstate

service from Newark Penn Station.

Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) trains also

provide subway service to destinations in Hudson

County, NJ and into the World Trade Center Station

and by transfer to stations along the 33rd Street line.

NYC’s MetroCard may be used to ride PATH Trains.

Local bus service is provided by NJ TRANSIT and

Coach USA along many bus lines at the station and a

few blocks away at Broad St. and Market St. in Newark.

NJ Transit’s Newark Light Rail provides service

between Penn Station and Broad Street Station, and on

a separate line travelling through downtown Newark,

terminating in Bloomfield at Grove Street Station.

Broad Street Station in Newark is served by the

Montclair-Boonton & Morris Essex Rail Lines, the

Newark Light Rail and multiple bus lines, including

some that serve Montclair. Transfers are available for

Hoboken, Midtown Manhattan and Secaucus Junction.

PAGE 12

Transportation to Newark Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport is New Jersey’s

premier air travel connection.

The least expensive way to get to Newark Airport in

the region is the GO28 bus. The full trip between

Bloomfield Rail Station and Newark Airport takes

between 40-50 minutes. The GO28 bus provides

nearly 24 hour service about once per half hour to

specially marked bus stops.

Connections from buses 11, 28 and 29 from Montclair

can be made at the GO28 bus stops adjacent to

Watsessing Park in Bloomfield and near Bloomfield Rail

Station. Always look for blue GO bus shelters when

picking up the GO28 bus. Ask the bus operator on

your first bus route (11, 28, 29) for a senior transfer

for the GO28 bus to Newark Airport. If you ask for

reduced fare it will cost about $2 for your trip. This

will get you back to Montclair for about $2. Call

NJ TRANSIT for the exact fare as this will be needed.

NJ TRANSIT also serves the airport via the Northeast

Corridor and the North Jersey Coast Line. Neither

runs directly from Montclair but both can be accessed

by travelling to Penn Station or Secaucus Junction. The

monorail system known as the AirTrain provides

service from the train station to the airport’s terminals.

For more Newark Airport information go to panynj.org or call toll-free at 888-EWR-INFO (397-4636).

PAGE 15

Montclair Senior Citizens Bus

A free service for Montclair residents 55+ and residents with disabilities.

Make reservation for a pick-up at your doorstep and ride to popular locations in town

Hours Of Operation: Monday- Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

For more information or to reserve a ride, please call EZ Ride at 201-939-4242, ext. 1.

Website: www.montclairnjusa.org

Destinations

(Subject to Change)

Acme Supermarket

Bellevue Theater

(across the street from the front)

Church Street Stop

CVS Pharmacy & Quest Labs @ Pine Street

Edgemont Park House

Human Needs Food Pantry

Lackawanna Plaza (formerly Pathmark)

Library Stop – Serving these South Fullerton Avenue Ser-

vices: Toni’s Kitchen, United Way, Montclair Library –

Main, Mental Health Association

Montclair Art Museum

Montclair Library – Bellevue

Montclair Municipal Building

Montclair Pools (Summer Only)

Mountainside Hospital

Salvation Army & AIM Senior Hub

US Post Office (Main), LabCorp Laboratories, Crane Park

PAGE 16

Montclair Seniors in Taxis

Beginning January, 2018, participating taxi companies will provide seniors 62+ a 50% discount on their fare. This is a pilot program with funding from the Township of Montclair. It is subject to change.

• Travel anytime 24/7

• Door-to-door convenience.

• Taxi sharing permitted.

• Just call – no advanced booking required.

• Use for ANY purpose: medical appointments,

grocery shopping, visiting friends and family,

shopping.

• Use in bad weather or instead of searching for a

parking space.

How to Get the Discount:

• Call one of the participating companies and ask for

the senior discount.

• May need to provide proof of age.

• Vouchers no longer required.

Participating Companies:

• Good Taxi: (609) 922-5179

• Le Rubicon: (201) 463-8344

• M&M Taxi: (973) 746-7575

Destinations Continued

Shoprite (Brookdale) – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Wally Choice Community Center

Watchung Plaza @ the Gazebo & NJTransit Watchung

Train Station

Whole Foods

YMCA

Access Link: ADA Paratransit

Phone: 800-955-2321

NJ TRANSIT operates Access Link for customers with

disabilities who cannot use the fixed route NJ

TRANSIT bus. Some people with disabilities may be

eligible for Access Link. Access Link operates on the

same days and hours as the fixed route NJ TRANSIT

bus and shadows the local bus routes. Fares are similar

to full fares on NJ TRANSIT local buses and use zones.

Access Link has special features:

• Small buses and cars provide

“curb-to-curb” service.

• Trips must be reserved by the

rider or other designee at

least 24 hours in advance.

• Access Link can be used for

any type of trip including but

not limited to: medical, social, shopping, etc.

The Access Link Assessment Process

• Potential riders must have an in-person

transportation assessment interview.

• Call Access Link to arrange an assessment interview

at a local assessment agency.

• A certification specialist will explain the assessment

process over the phone.

• You may bring an advocate to help you.

• If you need transportation to the interview, Access

Link will pick you up for a round-trip fare.

Access Link

PAGE 17

Essex County Special Transportation

Phone: 973-618-1280

Free transportation to many destinations is available

from Essex County Special Transportation.

• New riders must provide personal information by

telephone prior to scheduling a ride.

• Individuals may apply if they are over 60 years of age

or have a disability.

• Service is provided to medical, shopping, programs

and other destinations within Essex County.

• Trip reservations must be made at least 2 days or

up to 14 days in advance.

• Riders are asked to be ready 15 minutes before the

pickup & drop-off times.

• This is a busy service, so passengers may have to be

flexible about pick-up days and times.

• Call 973-618-1280 between 9:00 AM and

4:00 PM, Monday-Friday to reserve a trip.

• Call for information about monthly scheduled trips

to other destinations.

Essex County Special Transportation

PAGE 18

PAGE 19

EZ Ride’s Ryde4Life

Phone: 201-939-4242, ext. 4

Email: [email protected]

Website: ezride.org

Ryde4Life is a local program that facilitates Uber and

Lyft rides for individuals 60+. No smart phone is

required.

• Available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM.

• Membership is $15 per year.

• Ride charges will be per Lyft or Uber rates

applicable at the time any ride is provided.

• Some fees may apply. Call for more information.

GoGo Grandparent

Phone: 855-464–6872

Website: www.gogograndparent.com

GoGo Grandparent is a national program that

facilitates Uber and Lyft rides.

• 24/7 service & support.

• Text alerts for families.

• Fees apply. Call for more information.

Other Transportation Services

PAGE 20

Other Transportation Services

Metro Transport

Phone: 973-325-1359

Operates: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 3 PM

Make reservations 3 days in advance.

• The charge is $2.50 per town entered, free

service may be provided for low income individuals.

• Return trips should be requested before 3 PM.

• Serves Essex and parts of Union & Morris Counties.

• Vehicles are wheelchair accessible.

• Trips to medical destinations & select agencies.

• Call to register for the program and emergency

contacts before your first trip.

• Ask about group & charter trips.

Montclair Rehabilitation Organization

Phone: 201-396-8025

• Montclair Rehabilitation Organization (MRO) is a

private, not-for-profit corporation.

• The mission of MRO is to transport clients to medi-

cal appointments and therapy. MRO serves clients

in Montclair and towns that border Montclair.

• A minimum donation of $15 per one-way trip is

required, many clients offer additional support.

• Call 201-396-8025 to arrange for transportation.

• Service is available Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM

except on major holidays.

PAGE 21

Transit Information & Planning

NJ TRANSIT’s “Information Center” Hotline

Phone: 973-275-5555 Website: njtransit.com

Customer Service operators can assist in trip planning,

accessibility questions, lost & found, and filing

complaints and commendations. Automated service is

available 24/7 and operators are available Monday to

Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

NJ TRANSIT has several Trip Planning tools that are

designed for cell phone use, which are helpful when the

customer is already out and about or when something

unexpected happens during a trip. These tools include

“mybus”, NJ TRANSIT App and Google Maps Mobile.

The Montclair Township Clerk’s office, local rail

stations and major bus terminals carry NJ TRANSIT

schedules which are also available on njtransit.com

EZRIDE Transportation Management Assoc.

Phone: 201-939-4242 Website: ezride.org

EZ Ride is the Transportation Management Association

(TMA) that covers Montclair. TMAs are non-profit

private/public partnerships that promote commuting

alternatives such as public transit, community shuttles,

carpools/vanpools, walking and biking programs. All

New Jersey counties are covered by a TMA.

NJ Find A Ride - njfindaride.org

NJ Find A Ride is an online directory of public and

accessible transportation options. The website offers a

searchable database which can be used to research and

plan trips between locations.

PAGE 22

Transit Tips

• Plan your trip in advance using a trip planner at

njtransit.com or googlemaps.com/transit

• Plan your trip with NJ TRANSIT Customer Service

by calling 973-275-5555.

• You can look at schedules online at njtransit.com

• Keep copies of the schedules for the lines you use.

You can order schedules from NJ TRANSIT

Customer Service.

• Bring exact fare and extra change with you.

• Also bring any medications you may need during a

trip, your ID Card, the address of your destination,

and emergency phone numbers.

• Always get to the bus stop early. It is better to be

15 minutes early than 15 seconds late!

• Sit near the bus operator, to communicate, see the

road ahead and hear any announcements.

• Keep aisles clear of bags or packages.

• Tell a friend or family member where you are going

and when you plan to return.

• Never plan to take the last bus home.

PAGE 23

• Stop walking and scan the intersection at stop signs.

• Look for crosswalks to cross safely.

• Before crossing, always stop to scan the

intersection.

• Cross when cars are a safe distance away or

stopped for you.

• Pay attention when crossing driveways and walking

through parking lots.

• If you observe an unsafe sidewalk, call Montclair’s

Code Enforcement at 973-509-5703.

Traffic Signals

Red: Stop, do not cross

Yellow: Use caution, do not begin to cross

Green: Look for cars until OK to cross

Pedestrian Walk Signal

White Walk Signal: Look for oncoming cars

Red Flashing Signal: Do not begin to cross

Red Solid Signal: Do not cross

Walking Safely

PAGE 24

These programs help older adults drive safer longer.

AARP Driver Safety Program

Driver safety courses teach you:

• Current rules of the road.

• Defensive driving techniques.

• Managing personal changes.

For more information go to aarp.com

CarFit ®

Created by the American Society on Aging and devel-

oped in collaboration with AAA, AARP and AOTA.

The program is designed to help older drivers:

• Find out how well they fit their personal vehicle.

• Highlight possible improvements to fit.

• Promote conversations about safety & mobility.

For more info on driving safer longer refer to AAA’s

senior driving website: SeniorDriving.AAA.com

The site is broken down into topics such as:

• Evaluating your driving ability.

• Understanding mind & body changes.

• Improving your driving skills.

• Maintaining mobility & independence.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is a local

provider of driver rehabilitation services.

Phone: 973-731-3900

Drivers with special medical considerations may benefit

from working with a driver rehabilitation specialist.

Driving Safely

NJ TRANSIT

Customer Service: 973-275-5555

Reduced Fare: 973-491-7112

Access Link: 800-955-2321

Website: njtransit.com

DeCamp Bus Lines

Phone: 973-783-7500

Website: decamp.com

Montclair Senior Bus: 201-939-4242, ext. 1

Port Authority Bus Terminal: 212-435-7000

Newark Airport: 973-961-6000

Essex City Special Transportation: 973-395-8375

Montclair Rehab Org: 201-396- 8025

Metro Transport: 973-325-1359

EZ RIDE TMA: 201-939-4242

EZ Ryde4Life: 201-939-4242, ext. 4

Kessler Institute for Rehab: 973-731-3600

AAA NJ Automobile Club: 800-222-4357

Contact Information

PAGE 25

NJTIP @ Rutgers prepared this guide and (insert

organization name here) provided the current update.

NJTIP @ Rutgers is a program that teaches people

how to use public transportation, by offering:

One-on-One Travel Instruction

Each individual is paired with a travel instructor and the

instructor teaches travel skills by riding the bus or train

with them until they are ready for independent travel.

Small Group/In-School Travel Instruction

Groups and schools interested in the program should

contact us to schedule trips or classes.

Connect to Transit Seminars

NJTIP Travel Instructors teach professionals and

volunteers from social service agencies, schools and

senior residences how to become informed advocates

for public transportation, so they can better assist their

clients, students and residents with navigating the

public transportation network.

Questions? Please contact us at 848-932-4499

Email: [email protected]

Resources

PAGE 26

Expanding Mobility for People with Disabilities and Seniors

Original design and format developed by NJTIP @ Rutgers with funding from the Partners for Health Foundation, October 2015. The current version was updated December 2017 by the Montclair Department

of Health and Human Services.

Lifelong Montclair is designed to help Montclair’s older adults age in place and live as independently as possible. Learning to use public transportation to reach a variety of life sustaining and life enriching

destinations can be an integral part of this process.

For the most up-to-date information,

visit http://directory.lifelongmontclair.org/

Guide to

Public Transportation